For years the collar has been the only device available as a cribbing deterrent. New case studies have begun on a ring that is implanted into the horse?s gums that will, in some cases, prevent horses from this annoying and physically inhibiting habit.
Socks is a 15-year-old Gelding that Nancy Willson bought 3 years ago. He cribbed since she bought him. She tried the Miracle Collar and it worked, to a degree, but he still tried to crib with it on. Whenever they took the collar off he tried to crib. He was always gassy too. When her equine dentist suggested trying the ring she said ?I'll try anything to see if it works."
Dennis Chapman, equine dentist, implanted one small ring and within two weeks Socks had the ring off and was back to cribbing. Chapman ordered a double ring implant and Socks has been free of cribbing ever since. " I feel great about the rings, he is not sucking air anymore. With the collar he had gas, now he has no gas. He is grazing slower and longer, he takes his time."
So far Socks is a success case but not all horses respond the same. Each individual has his or her own tolerance to pain and when they bite down to suck, they experience pain.